Hey there! Today I’ll be sharing my experiences with the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera – 2 Camera Security System – Wireless, 4K Video & HDR, Color Night Vision, 2 Way Audio, Wire-Free, 180º View, White. If you’re in the market for a top-notch security camera, this review is for you!
Contents
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- The camera quality and connectivity of the Arlo Ultra 2 are exceptional. I’ve been impressed with the image quality, motion detection, and range of these cameras.
- The wireless installation is a breeze, providing flexibility in camera placement without the hassle of messy wiring.
- The color night vision feature is a game-changer. It allows me to see important details, like faces or license plates, in full color even at night.
- The battery life is impressive. After a week of use, my cameras are still at 96% charge, saving me time on recharging and allowing for a wire-free installation.
- The Arlo Ultra 2 works well with other smart devices, such as Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings. It seamlessly integrates into my existing smart home setup.
What Can Be Improved
- The Arlo website could be more informative and helpful, especially when it comes to troubleshooting issues. I found it lacking in providing comprehensive solutions for my specific problems.
- The Two Factor Authorization (2FA) process on a computer is a bit cumbersome, requiring repeated authorization on every login. This could be improved for a smoother user experience.
Quick Verdict
The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera is a high-quality security camera system that delivers excellent image and video quality, wireless installation, and advanced features like color night vision. While there are minor quibbles with the Arlo website and the 2FA process, the overall performance and functionality of the cameras are impressive.
If you’re looking for top-notch hardware in a security camera system and don’t mind the higher price point, the Arlo Ultra 2 is a great choice. It works seamlessly with other smart devices and provides peace of mind with its advanced features. Don’t miss out on this reliable security solution!
You can find more information about the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera here.
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
In October 2020, I purchased the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera – 2 Camera Security System from Amazon. The delivery was exceptionally fast, taking just a couple of days to arrive at my doorstep in the USA.
Inside the box, I found the following items:
- Camera Body
- Battery Pack
Specifications
The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera, with its advanced features, is a remarkable home security solution. Here are the specifications:
- Special Feature: Night Vision
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi Connection
- Working broadband connection with at least 2Mbps upload speed is required
- Model Name: Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera
- Brand: Arlo
- Recommended Uses For Product: Home Security, Surveillance, Outdoor Security, Monitoring
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
- Manufacturer: Arlo
- Date First Available: October 8, 2020
- Item Weight: 2.15 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 3 inches
User Guide
The documentation provided with the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera was extremely helpful in setting up and utilizing the camera to its full potential. It guided me through the installation process and explained all the features in detail. If you need assistance, I highly recommend referring to the user guide.
Features – What We Found
Free local storage
The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera comes with a free local storage option, allowing you to access your locally secured smart camera footage from the included Arlo Smart hub. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer to have control over their data and want to store their footage locally, rather than relying solely on cloud storage. However, it’s important to note that a MicroSD card is required for this feature, which is sold separately.
Pro-tip: Make sure to purchase a high-quality MicroSD card with sufficient storage capacity to ensure you can store and access all your camera footage effectively.
Smarter alerts, quicker action
With an Arlo Secure plan, the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera provides smarter notifications for people, vehicles, packages, and animals. This means you’ll receive more specific and relevant alerts to your phone’s lock screen, allowing you to quickly react and take appropriate action. This feature enhances the overall security and surveillance capabilities of the camera system, ensuring that you don’t miss any important events or activities within the camera’s field of view.
Pro-tip: Customize your notification settings to match your specific preferences and prioritize the types of alerts you want to receive. This way, you’ll only be notified about the events that matter most to you.
Wire-Free installation with 180º view
The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera offers fast and easy wire-free installation, providing increased flexibility in choosing the perfect camera view for your home security system. This wire-free design eliminates the need for complicated wiring setups and allows you to install the cameras in any desired location within range of your Wi-Fi network. Additionally, the camera offers a 180º view, ensuring comprehensive coverage and minimizing blind spots within its field of vision.
Pro-tip: Before installing the cameras, ensure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection and test the camera placement to maximize coverage and minimize any potential blind spots.
Color night vision
One standout feature of the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera is its ability to provide full-color night vision. The camera’s advanced technology allows you to see important features, such as faces or license plates, in full color even in low-light conditions. This enhanced visibility during nighttime surveillance adds an extra layer of security and increases the effectiveness of the camera’s monitoring capabilities.
Pro-tip: Adjust the camera’s night vision settings to optimize the color and clarity of the footage based on the specific lighting conditions in your surroundings.
Automatic zoom and tracking
Equipped with a 4K security camera and wireless security camera system, the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera offers the ability to automatically zoom and track moving objects with clarity. This feature allows the camera to focus on and follow any detected motion, ensuring that all important activities are captured and monitored effectively. Whether it’s a person walking or a vehicle passing by, the camera will track the subject and provide detailed footage for further analysis if needed.
Pro-tip: Adjust the camera’s motion tracking sensitivity to strike the right balance between capturing all relevant motion and minimizing false notifications caused by non-essential movement, such as tree branches swaying in the wind.
Review and Scores
Our Score: 77.0
I recently purchased the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera – 2 Camera Security System and have been using it for a few weeks now. Overall, I have been impressed with its performance and features. The camera quality is excellent, providing crisp and clear 4K video with HDR. Even in low-light conditions, the color night vision feature allows me to see important details. The wireless and wire-free installation was fast and easy, giving me flexibility in camera placement. The 180º view covers a wide area, capturing everything I need for my home security system.
One of the standout features of this camera system is the ability to remotely access locally stored footage through the Arlo Smart hub. This gives me peace of mind knowing that I can securely access and review my camera recordings. With the Arlo Secure plan, I receive smarter alerts for specific types of activity, such as people, vehicles, packages, and animals, allowing me to quickly react from my phone’s lock screen.
While there are a few minor quibbles, such as a delay in notifications and a less-than-ideal Two Factor Authorization process, overall, the Arlo Ultra 2 has exceeded my expectations. It integrates well with other smart devices and the included trial of Arlo Secure provides additional benefits like professional monitoring and advanced object detection. I highly recommend the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera for anyone looking for a high-quality and reliable home security system.
Alternatives To Go For
When it comes to home security, the Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera – 2 Camera Security System is a popular choice. However, there are some compelling reasons why you should consider these alternate products instead:
- Arlo Ultra 4K Wire-Free HDR Security Cameras Surveillance – 4-Camera: If you’re looking for more coverage for your home, this 4-camera system is a great choice. With 4K resolution and HDR technology, it provides clear and detailed video surveillance. Additionally, the wire-free design allows for easy installation without the hassle of wiring. You can find it here.
- Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera – Wireless Security: If you’re concerned about security at night, this floodlight camera is a perfect solution. With 2K video and HDR, it captures clear footage even in low light conditions. The built-in floodlight provides an extra layer of security, deterring potential intruders. Plus, it works with Alexa for seamless integration into your smart home system. You can find it here.
- Arlo Pro – Wireless Home Security Camera System with Siren: This versatile camera system offers many features that the Arlo Ultra 2 does, including rechargeable batteries, night vision, and 2-way audio. Additionally, it includes a built-in siren for added security. The cloud storage included ensures that your footage is securely stored. You can find it here.
- Arlo Pro 3 Spotlight Camera – 2 Camera Security System: With 2K video resolution and color night vision, this camera system delivers high-quality surveillance footage day and night. It is wire-free and works with Alexa, allowing for easy installation and integration into your smart home setup. You can find it here.
These alternate products provide a range of options to suit different security needs. Whether you need more cameras for extensive coverage, a floodlight camera for enhanced night security, or a versatile system with a built-in siren, there’s something for everyone. Explore these options and choose the one that best fits your requirements.